The Athletics Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) has announced a wider national squad of 106 athletes who have been entered to three different pools depending on their most recent performances at the local and international arena.
The three squads have been initiated with the objective of improving the standards of the athlete’s performance levels to medal winning standards at the South Asian Games and the Asian Athletic Championship which is scheduled to be held next year in Nepal and Qatar respectively. The three pools have been named as the Super Pool, Elite Pool and the National Pool with the current categories valid until the 1st national selection trial which will be held in February next year.
24 athletes make up the Super Pool which hosts the best medal prospects at the International competitions followed by 21 athletes in the Elite Pool and 61 athletes in the National Pool. It is encouraging to note that the AASL has included junior and youth athletes who managed to break into world rankings to provide them with a platform to excel and develop into stars that could make a name in international competitions.
Royalist, High Jumper Seniru Amarasinghe whose currently ranked fourth in the world in youth rankings for his leap of 2.14m and the Junior Asian Gold Medalist in the 3000m Steeple Chase, Parami Wasanthi Maristtella who is ranked third in the world in youth rankings are the two notable young athletes to have been added into the Super Pool due owing to their tremendous positions in the world Junior and Youth systems.
General Palitha Fernando, President of the AASL speaking exclusively to ThePapare.com mentioned that the AASL has recommended to the Ministry of Sports to provide financial assistance to the Super Pool and the Elite Pool while they have suggested supplying meals to the members of the National Pool. General Fernando went on to state that if the athletes of the National Pool are training away from the capital the AASL has proposed a meal allowance to be handed to the athletes. He also went on to add that despite not winning any medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, the quality of track and field athletes in the country has improved vastly in the past couple of years and through the initiated National squad the AASL is looking at intensifying the current crop of athletes to lift their performance to the next level.
Super Pool
Eligibility criteria –
- The Athletes who finished within 1 – 6 pos. at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games
- The Athletes who have achieved 1100 points (according to IAAF scoring) during the period of 01st January to 10th September 2018 (Wind assisted performances not considered)
- The Athletes ranked- 1 – 100 in the IAAF World ranking list/ 1-50 in Junior rankings or 1-10 in the Youth rankings.
| MEN | Athlete Name | Event | Category | Seasonal Best | Coach | |
| 1. | H.K. Kalinga Kumarage | 4*400m | A4 | 3:02.74 (45.99) | Mr Vimukthi De Soyza |
| 2. | S. Aruna Darshana | 4*400m | A 4 | 3:02.74 (45.79) | Mr Asanka Rajakaruna |
| 3. | M.G. Ajith Premakumara | 4*400m | A 4 | 3:02.74 (46.66) | Major R Hennayake |
| 4. | P.M. Pasindu Lakshan Kodikara | 4*400m | A 4 | 3:02.74 (46.65) | Mr Daminda Bandara |
| 5. | Shehan Sandaruwan Ambepitiyage | 4*100m | A 6 | 39.08 (10.56) | Mr Vimukthi De Soyza |
| 6. | A.L.M. Ashrafu | 4*100m | A 6 | 39.08 (10.63) | Mr Sunil Gunawardena |
| 7. | M. Vinoj Suranjaya De Silva | 4*100m | A 6 | 39.08 (10.27) | Mr Vimukthi De Soyza |
| 8. | W.K. Himasha Eashan | 4*100m | A 6 | 39.08 (10.32) | Mr M.C.K. Perera |
| 9. | A.M. Yupun P. Abeykoon | 100m | B (1102) | 10.32 | Mr Sampath Weerasinghe |
| 10. | H.E.M.I.G. Indunil Madushan Herath | 800 | B (1109) | 1:47.13 | Mr W. Rathnakumara |
| 11. | W.P. Manjula Kumara | HJ | B (1126) | 2.24 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 12. | H.T. Ushan Thiwanka Perera | HJ | B (1126) | 2.24 | Mr Suranjith Sanrath |
| 13. | Seniru T. Amarasinghe | HJ | C (Y 4) | 2.14 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 14. | DAGJP Wimalasiri | LJ | B (1168) | 8.14 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 15. | W.P. Amila Jayasiri | LJ | B (1140) | 8.01 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 16. | G.K.D.S. Piyarathna | LJ | B (1136) | 7.99 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 17. | L.P. Sreshan Dananjaya | LJ | B (1116) | 7.90 | Mr Sampath Weerasinghe |
| 18. | D.S. Ranasinghe | JT | B (1119) | 81.22 | Mr Kinsly Gunathilaka |
| 19. | R.M.S.J. Ranasnghe | JT | C (65) | 78.67 | Mr Pradeep Nishantha |
| WOMEN | |||||
| 20. | A.A. Gayanthika Thushari | 800m | A 6 | 2:04.16 | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 21. | U.K.Nilani Rathnayaka | 3000mSC (1500) | A 6 | 9:46.72
(4:17.52) |
Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 22. | K. Parami Wasanthi Maristela | 2000 / 3000 SC | C (Y 3) | 6:35.20/ 10:20.12 | Mr Janitha Nadeeshantha |
| 23. | H.L.N. Dilhani Lekamge | JT | A 5 | 58.41 | Ms Anupama Rodrigo |
| 24. | H.D.Vidusha Lakshani | TJ | C (88) | 13.60 | Mr Luis Miranda |
Elite Pool
Eligibility Criteria –
A . The Athletes who represented Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2018
B . The Athletes who have achieved 1100 points (according to IAAF scoring) during the period of 01st January to 10th September 2018 (Wind assisted performances not considered
| MEN | Athlete Name | Event | Category | Seasonal Best | Coach |
| 1. | H.M. Dilip Ruwan | 400m | B (1085) | 46.39 | Mr Madhuka Marasinghe |
| 2. | P.M.W.G Tharusha Dananjaya | 400m | B (1056) | 46.83 | Mr Umanga Surendra |
| 3. | A.L.A.I. Rathnasena | 400Mh | B (1070) | 51.23 | Mr Rohitha Gunarathna |
| 4. | S.M. Aravinda Chathuranga | 400Mh | B (1055) | 51.54 | Mr A. Dayan Devapriya |
| 5. | J.H.G. Sampath | Long Jump | B (1086) | 7.76 | Mr Chandana Amarasinghe |
| 6. | M.I.M. Mifran | Long Jump | B (1062) | 7.65 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 7. | K.K.M.K. Karunasekara | Long Jump | B (1057) | 7.63 | |
| 8. | D.M. Liyanapathirana | Long Jump | B (1055) | 7.62 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 9. | I.D.S.S. Jayasinghe | Triple Jump | B (1094) | 16.34 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 10. | U.P.A.N. Karunasinghe | Triple Jump | B (1065) | 16.06 | Mr Chandana Amarasinghe |
| 11. | M.N.S Ahamed | Triple Jump | B (1062) | 16.03 | Mr Y.K. Kularatne |
| 12. | D.M.E.D.K Fernando | Triple Jump | B (1056) | 15.98 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| WOMEN | |||||
| 13. | R.M. Rumeshika Rathnayaka | 200m
(100m/ 4*100) |
A | 23.43 (11.51) | Ms A.D. Nandawathi |
| 14. | Hiruni Wijayarathne | 10000m, Marathon | A | 33:55.06
2:36:35 |
|
| 15. | W.K.L.A Nimali | 800m
(4*400m) |
A | 2:04.04
(55.06) |
Mr Sujith Abeysekara |
| 16. | D.T Amasha De Silva | 100m
(200m/ 4*100) |
B (1052) | 11.71
(24.47) |
Mr J.S. Weerakkody |
| 17. | Nadeesha Ramanayaka | 400m (4*400) | B (1080) | 53.27 | Mr W.G.M. Thushara |
| 18. | E.W.U Rathnakumari | 400m (4*400) | B (1076) | 53.31 | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 19. | P.G.N Madushika | 400m (4*400) | B (1067) | 53.54 | Mr Vimukthi De Soyza |
| 20. | K.G.D.M.S Kumarasinghe | 800m (4*400) | B (1083) | 2:04.53 (54.03) | Mr Susantha Fernando |
| 21. | B.M.H.P Balasooriya | Triple Jump | B (1055) | 13.39 | Mr Luis Miranda |
National Pool
- The Athletes who were placed 1st in each event at the National Athletics Championships 2018 conducted by the AASL.
- The best performer (apart from National Champion) of each event during the period of 01st January to 10th September 2018 (Wind assisted performances not considered)
| MEN | Athlete Name | Event | Seasonal Best | Coach |
| 1. | A.S. Mohammad Safan | 200 m. | 21.34 | |
| 2. | G.R. Chathuranga | 800 m. | 1:49.83 | Maj. R. Hennayake |
| 3. | H.K.T. Fonseka | 1500 m. | 3:49.03 | Mr W. Rathnakumara |
| 4. | D Hemantha Kumara | 1500 m. | 3:45.89 | Mr W. Rathnakumara |
| 5. | A.K. Tharanga | 5000 m. | 14:36.9 | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 6. | R.M.S. Pushpakumara | 5000m.,
3000 m. SC |
14:34.86
8:59.70 |
Maj. Upali Wickramasinghe |
| 7. | K Shanmugeshwaran | 10000 m. | 30:57.26 | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 8. | G.P.A.J. Kumara Bandara | 10000 m. | 30:58.99 | Mr Jansz Dissanayake |
| 9. | D.G.D. Sandaruwan | Marathon | 2:26:23 | Mr Jansz Dissanayake |
| 10. | R.A.P.D. Arunasiri | Marathon | 2:26:43 | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 11. | Roshan Ranatunga | 110 mh | 14.57 | Mr Thiron I Gamage |
| 12. | K.B.I Perera | 110 mh | 14.61 | |
| 13. | S Chandradasan | 3000 m. st | 9:11.89 | |
| 14. | A Channa Fernando | Pole Vault | 4.50 | |
| 15. | A Puvitharan | Pole Vault | 4.70 | |
| 16. | R.A.S Jayawardana | Shot Put | 16.23 | Mr Susantha Kularatne |
| 17. | Joy Danushka Perera | Shot Put | 15.67 | Ms I.D.R.V. Aberatne |
| 18. | K.G.U.P Jayawardana | Discus | 56.40 | |
| 19. | Z.T.M Aazick | Discus | 45.21 | Mr Dilruk Nilantha |
| 20. | W.G.S.R Kumarasiri | Hammer | 48.97 | Mr Kinsly Gunathilaka |
| 21. | N.D.R Sisira Kumara | Hammer | 46.65 | Mr Madhawa Bandara |
| 22. | Ajith Karunathilake | Decathlon | 7356 | Mr Rohitha Fernando |
| 23. | A.S.M Ashan | Decathlon | 6509 | |
| 24. | H.S.S Kumara | 4*100 m. | (10.67) | Ms Badra Gunawardena |
| 25. | W.D.S.K Wijeratne | 4*100 m. | (10.57) | Maj R. Hennayake |
| 26. | Chanuka Sandeepa | 4*100 m. | (10.62) | |
| 27. | G.D.K.K. Pabasara Niku | 4*400 m. | (47.17) | Mr S.P. De Silva |
| 28. | Anjana Gunaratne | 4*400 m. | (47.19) | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 29. | K.P.T Ravishka Indrajith | 4 x 400 m. | 47.64 | Mr Amila Prasanna |
| 30. | D.M.I.S.S Dunukara | 20 km RW | 1:39:26 | Mr B.N.M. Nayanananda |
| 31. | T.G.S.N Appuhamy | 20 km RW | 1:40:26 | |
| WOMEN | ||||
| 32. | N.M.C Dilrukshi | 1500 m. | 4:22.69 | Mr S.P. De Silva |
| 33. | S.A Lamahewage | 5000 m., 10000 m. | 17:15.66
36:48.4 |
Mr Jayantha Siyamudali |
| 34. | M.U.M.A.N Priyadarshani | 5000 m. | 17:17.38 | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 35. | M.S.P Madumali Perera | Marathon | 2:54:40 | Mr G.L. Sajith Jayalal |
| 36. | W.V.L Sugandhi | 100 mh, Heptathlon, 4X100 m | 13.92
4906 (11.98) |
Mr S.P. Wasantha Kumara |
| 37. | R.A.I.S Rajasinghe | 100 mh | 13.95 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 38. | G.A.S Dulani | 400 mh | 60.11 | |
| 39. | T.G.D.N Wickramasinghe | 400 mh | 60.86 | Mr S.P. De Silva |
| 40. | D.K Ranasinghe | High Jump | 1.76 | Mr Y.K. Kularatne |
| 41. | Jayamali Gunaratne | High Jump | 1.80 | Mr Nimal Dharmaratne |
| 42. | K.L.S.K Perera | Pole Vault | 3.40 | |
| 43. | J Aniththa | Pole Vault | 3.55 | Mr C. Subashkaran |
| 44. | Anjani Pulwansa | Long Jump | 6.09 | Mr Luis Miranda |
| 45. | B.G.S Harshni Jayakantha | Long Jump, Heptathlon | 6.04
4275 |
|
| 46. | W.T.K Fernando | Shot Put | 14.59 | Mr W.S. Fernando |
| 47. | Nadeeka Muthunayake | Shot Put | 13.07 | Mr Kinsly Gunathilaka |
| 48. | P.K.A.A Maduwanthi | Discus, Hammer | 43.15
48.62 |
Mr Madhawa Bandara |
| 49. | P.A.I.M.P Perera | Discus | 42.80 | |
| 50. | H.A Aruni Lakshika | Hammer | 46.18 | |
| 51. | B.L Nadeeka Lakmali | Javelin | 51.52 | Mr K.P.K. Ranatunga |
| 52. | S.L Vidanaduruge | 4X100 m | (12.15) | Mr V.D. Nandasiri |
| 53. | Sharmila Jan | 4X100 m | (12.17) | |
| 54. | W.G Ewanthi Emeshika | 4X100 m | (12.20) | Mr Lal Wijewickrama |
| 55. | M.A.S.S Jayathilaka | 4X100 m | (12.20) | |
| 56. | M.G.R.S Ferdinandas | 4X100 m | (12.23) | Mr Sunil Gunawardena |
| 57. | D.K.G.S Jayasinghe | 4X400 m | (55.19) | |
| 58. | K.Sachini Tharaka Divyanjali | 4X400 m | (55.57) | Mr Amila Prasanna |
| 59. | Romeshi Ishara Attidiya | 4*400 m | (55.88) | Mr J.S. Weerakkody |
| 60. | P.B Gayani | 20km RW | 1:52:33 | Mr H.H. Samanthilaka |
| 61. | U.V Kalhari Madrika | 20km RW | 1:54:56 |
Mr B.D.L. Kularatne |
